2011 – Pursuing A Simpler Life

Well, as you can see, it’s been a long time since I posted an update. At the beginning of last year, I felt God pressing upon me to stop most of the activities I was involved in and live life much more simply.  After wrestling with it a few months, I finally started listening.  He kept telling me to “just live what I believe” and what a blessing it has been to have my eyes opened to the blessings He’s been trying to give me!

You see,  I married a simple man 15 years ago.  God has been trying to lead me to a simpler life for a long time.  (I’m obviously a slow learner.)  Little by little, we’ve made small changes to pull away from the hustle and bustle of busy life.  We started homeschooling Samuel 7 years ago.  We didn’t plan to.  It was time for Samuel to start school and homeschool families started coming out of the woodwork that summer.  (Did I mention I had barely heard of the concept and had no idea what I was doing?)  Anyway, we took a step of faith and said “yes” to homeschooling and it has been significant in our journey for a simpler life.  I love, love, love it!  I am so looking forward to Mandy (our oldest) homeschooling Carly (our granddaughter) and sharing in her experience learning everything she can about the awesome world that God created and how He planned every fine detail.   Carly is only 2 and 1/2 right now,  so we can have fun for a few years just coloring, cutting, and pasting stuff!

We’re learning how to grow a lot of our food.  My Dad is a master gardener and has planted a big garden for years.  There is plenty of land to plant on around here and our whole family (2 brothers and 2 sisters plus my parents) joins together in the work.  I just love the group effort!  My Mom taught me how to can last summer.  I canned over 200 jars – salsa, tomatoes, tomato sauce, pickles, green beans, wild blackberry syrup, & strawberry jam. We are definitely enjoying the fruits of our labor from last summer.

I’m learning that true abundance comes when I strive to keep my priorities in order – on a daily basis.  I want to be a true follower of Christ, honor my husband, value my family, and teach my children and grandchildren about the God that loves them unconditionally.  I love my family so much! I am learning what walking with God daily really means.

I plan to share our pursuit of a simpler life through this blog.  I also have a passion for healthy marriage and family relationships so I would love to share any wisdom that comes my way to help you in those areas from time to time.

Here are some our pictures from 2010:

Jacob’s Fork River borders our property. We spent alot of time here.

Our secret paradise

Carly helping to make breakfast from our fresh eggs

Carly enjoying a fresh picked strawberry that we picked ourselves!

A batch of homemade detergent

Fresh lettuce – I love being able to cut lettuce & herbs when we need it.

Samuel & Rojo – Ever see a boy in love with a rooster or a rooster in love with a boy?

Rojo is the first of 4 roosters Samuel got last year.

Meet Jo Jo – In case you didn’t know, he’s the leader

This is Bo. Who could resist this face?

The bros – just hanging out

Co Co – Samuel’s rabbit

Banjo – Samuel’s birthday present. He’s a Nigerian dwarf goat.

Noah & Samuel in the garden

My Dad’s okra plants – see how tall they are? We made lots of okra pickles last year!

Fresh Cinnamon Rolls – I am learning to make fresh bread.

Meet Ringo – the Silkie rooster. He has alot of flair, doesn’t he?

Noah built a new goat house since our flock has grown so much. I love a man who can work with his hands!

Isn’t it lovely? Samuel was dying to sleep in it with them the first night.

Samuel wants to call the goatel the “Silver Goat”

Samuel, & his cousins Caleb & Caitlin.

Highland Cow @ Buffalo Beals- Samuel is dying to get one of these!

@ Buffalo Beals with the Stephens family – some of our new best friends

We love our homeschool buddies.

Mandy & I learned to make homemade donuts. Oh my, what goodness!

Carly reaching for the chocolate – our family favorite!

Jo Jo said – “Why did you eat all the doughnuts?”

Sweet little Banjo – He has to fight for his place every day since he is the new kid on the block.

Bo is our talking goat. Come over and visit and we’ll prove it to you.

This is our welcoming committee every morning.

Samuel & Jo Jo – his “trusty steed.”

We expanded our fence and God expanded our flock. I think there is a lesson in that.

Samuel & his cousin Karina playing in the Christmas snow.

The river view under a blanket of snow

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